1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 909 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 John Douglas Witherspoon 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of Texas joins the citizens of McKinney 1-7 in mourning the untimely loss of former Collin County Commissioner 1-8 John Douglas Witherspoon, who died on May 16, 1997, at the age of 1-9 41; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Born on January 28, 1956, in Del Rio, he was the 1-11 son of Harriette A. Dodson and Herschel F. Witherspoon; he and his 1-12 family moved to McKinney in 1960; he attended the local schools and 1-13 pursued his love of scouting and earned the Eagle Scout award; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Graduating from McKinney High School in 1974, John 1-15 attended Texas Christian University and graduated in 1978; he 1-16 returned to McKinney and established his own business, Witherspoon 1-17 Financial Services; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Elected Collin County Commissioner, Precinct Three, 1-19 in 1988, he was the first Republican from McKinney to be elected to 1-20 that position, and he was reelected in 1992 by a landslide vote; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Noted for his courage in the face of his physical 1-22 disabilities, Mr. Witherspoon was dedicated to his work, and he 1-23 earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues; and 2-1 WHEREAS, A man who wanted to give back to his community, he 2-2 was an active and hardworking county commissioner, and among his 2-3 accomplishments were his support of the Well Infant Care program, 2-4 continued county funding for rural ambulance services and the 2-5 volunteer fire departments, and his support of the annual 2-6 Collin County Cleanup Day; and 2-7 WHEREAS, A devout Christian, he was a member of the Westside 2-8 Church of Christ; and 2-9 WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, John will be remembered 2-10 for his strength of character and for his generosity of spirit; now, 2-11 therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-13 75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the members 2-14 of his family: his wife, Teresa; his sons, Jacob Ashley Sloan and 2-15 John Harrison Witherspoon; his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon; 2-16 and his parents, Herschel and Harriette Witherspoon; and, be it 2-17 further 2-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 2-19 family as an expression of the deepest sympathy of the Texas Senate, 2-20 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-21 John Douglas Witherspoon. 2-22 Shapiro 2-23 Ratliff 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 President of the Senate 2-26 I hereby certify that the above 2-27 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-1 on May 28, 1997, by a rising vote. 3-2 ______________________________________ 3-3 Secretary of the Senate 3-4 ______________________________________ 3-5 Member, Texas Senate 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 Member, Texas Senate